Government Versus Progress

America grew up under a very different set of rules — a regime of permissionless innovation. Anyone who wanted to try new products or methods just went ahead and did it. John D. Rockefeller did not have to petition any government officials before he could use new ways of refining oil; Henry Ford did not have to ask if it would be all right to build a horseless carriage. Today, however, the first step for an innovator is to see a lawyer for help in preparing and submitting all of the mandatory permission applications.